N.J.S.A. 11A:2-22 Back pay, benefits, seniority and reasonable attorney fees
The Civil Service Commission may award back pay, benefits, seniority and reasonable attorney fees to an employee as provided by rule. Cited by 1 other section of Title 11A.
Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means
Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.
In plain language
Twenty-one words setting out what a successful appeal is worth. The Commission may award back pay, benefits, seniority and reasonable attorney fees, as provided by rule. "May" rather than "shall", and the conditions live in N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10 rather than here. Seniority is the item people overlook. Winning an appeal restores position in the queue for promotion and for layoff, which can outlast the value of the back pay.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
The Civil Service Commission may award back pay, benefits, seniority and reasonable attorney fees to an employee as provided by rule.
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.
An old amendment date alone does not mean a provision is obsolete. This mirror reflects the source watermark above; later laws and decisions can affect how the text applies.
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 2008, c. 29, section 17Amended
effective June 30, 2008 - L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
4 reported decisions cite this section. Citations only: the summaries in the source are the publisher's own writing, and where we describe a case we write it from the decision itself.
New Jersey Supreme Court 1
- Oches v. Township of Middletown Police Dep't155 N.J. 1, 713 A.2d 993
Appellate Division 3
- DelRossi v. Department of Human Services256 N.J. Super. 286, 606 A.2d 1128
- Burris v. Police Dep't338 N.J. Super. 493, 769 A.2d 1112
- In re Hearn417 N.J. Super. 289, 9 A.3d 1032
Commission decisions resting on 11A:2-22
198 decisions of the Civil Service Commission since January 16, 2019 rest on this section: 12 cite it directly, and 186 apply a Title 4A rule adopted under it. The newest:
- In the Matter of Sykeema Bell, Judiciary, Vicinage 7-Mercer County September 2, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty reversed · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matter of Julio Rodriguez, City of Hoboken, Department of Parks Recreation and Public Works August 12, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty modified · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matter of Daniel Burke, Jackson, Department of Administration August 12, 2026 · Request for reconsideration · Denied · cites this section
- In the Matter of John T. Arrington, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, Department of Corrections August 12, 2026 · Petition for interim relief or a stay · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matter of Tiffany Cobourne, Camden County Board of Social Services July 22, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty modified · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matters of Christopher Massey, Borough of Bergenfield, Police Department July 1, 2026 · Discipline · Dismissed · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matter of A.O., Department of Human Services, Hunterdon Developmental Center July 1, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty reversed · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
- In the Matter of Michael Emmert, Garden State Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections May 20, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty modified · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12
Effective-date provisions
Quoted from the session laws themselves.
- Section 120 of L. 2008, c. 29 provides: “This act shall take effect immediately and any actions necessary to implement this act may be taken any time thereafter. General implementation shall be completed no later than 12 months following enactment.” Chapter 29, L. 2008, was approved on June 30, 2008.
Sections that refer to this one
- N.J.S.A. 11A:8-4 Appeals